West Rim to Scout Lookout
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The initial switchbacks and Walter's Wiggles are paved but can be slick with ice from November through March — microspikes are not optional in winter, they are essential. Several rescue calls each year come from slip-and-fall injuries on these sections.
There is zero shade on the switchbacks below Refrigerator Canyon and above Walter's Wiggles. In summer, surface temperatures on the exposed rock can exceed what the air temperature suggests, and heat exhaustion is a real risk if you start after 10 a.m.
The dropoffs at Scout Lookout are unfenced and sheer. Keep a close eye on children and stay well back from edges, especially when it is windy — gusts can be sudden and strong at the rim.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Catch the first shuttle to the Grotto trailhead — by mid-morning the trail becomes a conga line of hikers, and the switchbacks turn into a frustrating game of leapfrog with slower groups.
Refrigerator Canyon lives up to its name even in summer, so if you are overheating on the initial switchbacks, know that genuine relief is coming. But do not skip the sun protection — the rest of the trail is fully exposed.
Scout Lookout itself is a broad sandy area with multiple vantage points. Skip the crowded main overlook where everyone queues for Angels Landing and walk to the western edge for an unobstructed view down into Zion Canyon with far fewer people in your frame.
Photos
NPS
